Elon hosts N.C. Physical Therapy Association Student Conclave 

Students from 13 of North Carolina’s Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs participated in the 2019 North Carolina Student Conclave held March 23 at Elon. Elon University's DPT program hosted the 2nd Annual Conclave, an event that was a huge hit and was attended by 200 students from across the state.

In addition to hosting, Elon was well-represented. Tyler Cope, a 2016 graduate, represented the Orthopedic Special Interest Group in the networking session. Adjunct Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Education Carrie Brice served as expert employer panel member, third-year student Kaylee Pobocik presented on the value of the American PT Association and Lauren Graham and Christine Tassitino excelled on the conclave planning committee. Kahli Castagnera '19, Whitney Jaffe '19, Karen Blackburn '19, Ryan Molinaro '19 and Krista Nunn '21 were volunteers who helped make this big event a success.  Thirty-one Elon DPT attended from all three class cohorts.

The night prior to the conclave, the Student Special Interest Group hosted Pub Night at Magerks with a PT Pintcast hosted by former rock radio DJ and current physical therapist and director of communications for Fox Rehabilitation, Jimmy McKay.  Twenty-five students were asked three questions: 1) Before you go to clinic, what's ONE thing you'll do to prepare?  2)  What's ONE thing you're most AFRAID of?  3) What's ONE thing you're EXCITED about? According to McKay, "The answers were as varied as the students' fingerprints."  Listen to the podcast episode here – www.LinkTr.ee/PTPintcast.

The students packed plenty of school spirit for the conclave, which really showed during the introduction of the NCPTA Board of Directors and later during a live show recording of another episode of PT Pintcast recorded during the conclave. The episode of the conclave PT Pintcast episode will be available by April 29 here – https://www.ptpintcast.com/listen/pt-pintcast-podcast-library-recorded-over-a-beer/.

The conclave hosted speeches from PTs, recent grades, former patients, and others featuring topics such as PT’s role in oncologic patient care, international service learning, and “Finding Your Why.”  A panel of expert PT employers participated in a question-and-answer session dedicated to enhancing students’ understanding of crafting resumés and cover letters and excelling in a job interview.  The panel members provided resume and business card review for individual students at lunchtime.

The day concluded with a “speed networking” event during which students chatted with and learned from local clinicians, recruiters and residents about their experiences in their respective roles and available opportunities for students.  

Finally, Conclave attendees headed to a fun-filled afternoon at the HOPE 5K, a fundraiser for the Elon pro bono clinic where Hannah Stapleton, a PTA student from Guilford Technical Community College, won a $50 Target gift card sponsored by Drayer PT and Benchmark PT.  Community member Jonathan Draper won the 5K race and third-year DPT student David Guthrie came in second. 

As part of the conclave, students from around the state donated items such as clothing, shoes, blankets, coloring books, books, magazines, and toiletries to benefit a local skilled nursing facility in Burlington, Alamance Healthcare Center.

All-in-all, a fun time for students and their mentors. We are looking forward to #NCSC2020, to be hosted by High Point University!